Anytime Dev’n Goodman organizes an event in Fort Worth, she asks herself several questions: What’s the budget? Where will it be held? What will the marketing look like?
But the most important thing she wonders: Will this event make space to uplift voices that aren’t often heard?
Goodman, 37, is the founder of A Goodman’s Education, an events business focused on art exhibitions, entrepreneur workshops and cultural programming that amplifies Fort Worth’s diverse communities.
Welcome to 52 Faces
52 Faces of Community is a Fort Worth Report weekly series spotlighting local unsung heroes. It is sponsored by Central Market, H-E-B and JPS Health Network.
At the end of the year, these rarely recognized heroes will gather for a luncheon where the Report will announce one honoree to represent Tarrant County at the Jefferson Awards in Washington, D.C.
Founded in December 2024, the business has hosted film screenings and panel discussions, art-making workshops and therapy group sessions at several local and minority-owned businesses, including Hotel Dryce, The Pool Near Southside and Casa Azul Coffee. Goodman hosted over 60 events this year, she said.
“My goal is creating spaces that center Black and brown folks and welcome those who support and empower the work we do,” she said.
Her dedication to amplifying voices earned her recognition in 52 Faces of Community, the Fort Worth Report’s weekly series spotlighting unsung heroes in Tarrant County.
Goodman’s love for community-building came from her parents, both educators. Her mother Crystal Goodman previously served as principal of what was then Dunbar Middle School. Her father Patrick Goodman is a boys basketball coach in New Waverly ISD.
Goodman followed in her parents’ educational shoes and spent several years teaching English and student leadership at Dunbar High School. She launched a program between Dunbar and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth that invited students to learn more about contemporary art.
In 2021, Goodman began hosting a lecture series at the Modern centered around gender and educational inequalities. She left teaching in 2022 and spent the next year working as an engagement manager at TechFW where she was able to further grow her experiences as an event planner.
People gather at The Pool Near Southside for the opening of “A Good Gathering” on Oct. 3, 2025. (David Moreno | Fort Worth Report)
In October, Goodman pushed her creativity by launching “A Good Gathering,” a monthlong art exhibition in partnership with Art Tooth. The show spotlighted more than 20 local artists at The Pool Near Southside and featured several corresponding events focused on showing how art and culture “can connect, heal and inspire,” according to a press release.
The goal was to empower people to organize events in their own communities, Goodman said.
“I wanted people to ask themselves, ‘How do I apply this? How do I duplicate this?’” she said. “The events I create are to challenge myself as an advocate and make sure my work stays rooted in the community.”
Briana Wucinski, founder of SUNSEV Creative, said she admires how Goodman remains grounded and authentic in her ability to ensure artists are equitably compensated and visible. The two met in 2022 while working at Tech FW.
“She really does try to bring together different parts of the community for a shared purpose, whether that’s empowering women entrepreneurs or other kinds of marginalized groups.”
Briana Wucinski, founder of Sunsev Creative
As Goodman finalizes the slate of events for next year, she said her focus remains on uplifting artists. Her second annual “A Good Gathering,” scheduled for next October, will feature a juried art show to provide artists’ with an opportunity to build their resumes, she said.
“I have learned that for artists, juried art shows give them some professional caliber backing when they’re applying to gallery shows and museums,” she said.
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And although running an events business by herself sometimes takes its toll, Goodman said she doesn’t see herself doing anything else. She enjoys moving in the background, pulling the threads that weave a tight-knit Fort Worth.
“I’m not trying to have a legacy name,” she said. “I’m really doing this because we all deserve a real village-style community to thrive in.”
Dev’n Goodman poses in front of the artworks featured in “A Good Gathering” at The Pool Near Southside. (Courtesy photo | Dev’n Goodman)
David Moreno is the arts and culture reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at david.moreno@fortworthreport.org or @davidmreports.
Disclosure: Hotel Dryce owner Jonathan Morris is a board member of the Fort Worth Report. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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